Posts Tagged actualized

A recent article came out from Inc. about why most people don’t discover their purpose in life and it inspired me to write this.

People don’t define what is right for themselves.

I hear it too often, “I did it because I was supposed to”. That common phrase might be one of the most dangerous phrases today in modern America. If you are here reading this, there’s a good chance that you know this all too well. When we grow up we often look to those around us who we trust to help us make decisions and we are smart to do so. However, there comes a time when we must really start to rely on ourselves more and through introspection, learn what is right for us. We can still seek the council of others, but as we grow, we must understand when to ask for help and more importantly who to ask.

Not taking the time for introspection and goal setting.

How crazy is it that we spend all this time doing things that may or may not make us happy, but we can’t take an hour to just think about what we are doing with our life. Introspection is one of the strongest tools I’ve found to help me navigate life. It brings clarity, it bring confidence, it spurs new ideas and it speaks to the soul.

Using introspection allows you do realize your dreams, but also grapple with your fears; both in productive ways. Most people never take the time to do this, they do what they do because they are “supposed” to, but don’t take the time really think about things.

Most people are scared of their darkside

Most tiny housers are great people, but everyone has a darkside. We aren’t talking about a darkside a la sociopath or the like; We are talking about your regrets, insecurities and selfish drives. Everyone has them and it isn’t until we wrestle with them that we can make any real progress. It has been my experience that the most amount of growth and understanding occurs in this space; where you face these dark parts of yourself and lean into them. In some cases I have learned from them, other times I have come to accept them, or in some cases I have come to embrace them. Whatever it is you have been intentional with them.

Too busy worrying about everyone else.

There are those who’s opinions you deem important, but for most people, we are too concerned with everyone’s opinion of us. It’s only natural, but spending too much time worrying what others think about us is dangerous.

It is funny in a way, But I have found that those who are most likely judge you or chastise you are often the ones that are the most uncomfortable with themselves, haven’t found themselves, do what they are “supposed to do”, and haven’t decided things for themselves; why would you care about a person’s opinion that is so ill conceived and fraught with insecurities?

Seek the advice of those important to you, then go forth, ignore the rest.

People don’t “buck up” and go for it.

There has been one thing that I’ve found when it comes to people who are doing what they love, are well balanced, living an adventure. They don’t let excuses get in the way and they act today. I did this with my tiny house, I put it off, but in the end when I did it, I realized I, myself, was literally the only thing holding me back.

What is more tragic than a life where you don’t get to live your dream? Having the chance to do something amazing and not jumping at the opportunity.